Champagne Problems and Dishwasher Days

    I've learned so much from my mom over the years. One thing I've tried to emulate is her outlook on life. She always sees the silver lining to any storm clouds that come her way, and believe me, she's had her fair share. A saying that I credit with her coming up with is "champagne problems." She uses that to refer to situations such as having two social obligations that conflict. For example, having tickets to a show and receiving a party invitation for the same day. Even such things as having the air conditioner go out is seen as a "champagne problem" because having the air conditioner break down means that we have a roof over our heads, an air conditioner to keep us cool on hot days and enough money in the bank to pay for the repairs. When I feel myself getting irritated over things, I try to remember that most of the time it's a champagne problem to be grateful for what I have.

    Another way in which I try to be like my mom is in the way she determines if it's been a good day. She says if she has to run the dishwasher more than one time per day, then it's been a good day because that means a lot of people have been to the house, and there's nothing mom likes more than a houseful of family and friends.

Posted by Margaret Sarver